Opening Ceremonies at Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain

Ticket to the opening ceremonies of the Barcelona Summer Olympics | Source

Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics

In the summer of 1992 my husband and I were fortunate to be able to attend the Opening Ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The Games of the XXV Olympiad were to be played there and it is an experience we will never forget.

1992 Barcelona, Spain | Source

Barcelona is a seacoast city in the northeast area of Spain. As the capitol of Catalonia, Barcelona has long been a tourist area due to its Mediterranean climate and alluring cityscapes and countryside. Many centuries of settlement have made this city an interesting mixture of medieval areas which are cramped and crowded along with other spacious and green areas.

View of Barcelona, Catalonia. | Source

There is a separatist movement that has been working towards separating Catalonia from the rest of Spain and making it into an independent country. The language has its slightly different twist and their food is also distinctive.

Catalan independence protest | Source

Many artists have called this area home. Among them are Dali, Picasso, Miro and Gaudi. During our visits to Barcelona we would visit the Joan Miro Foundation and see many different buildings designed by Gaudi including those in Park Guell. His Sagrada Familia is a landmark towering over many other buildings in this cosmopolitan city.

Inside the Sagrada Familia | Source

Barcelona won the distinction of hosting these Olympic Games in 1986 and worked diligently to transform their city providing Olympic venues and preparing their city to host the onslaught of not only fine athletes from around the world who would be competing, but also the crowds of people who would perhaps be seeing their city for the first time. Many of the venues were completed a full year in advance of this spectacle. The city was shined up and was readied to put on a memorable show!

We were with a group of people who were staying on the Island of Mallorca and were flown by airplane to Barcelona in time to be hosted to a typical Catalan lunch at a restaurant called Con Travi Nou at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

After a leisurely lunch we were dropped off and began the long hike up to the Olympic Stadium. We were to follow guides waving yellow flags. There were many groups of people following different colored flags that day in addition to individuals and small family groups heading up the hill to Montjuic and the Olympic Stadium so we had to pay close attention so as not to be separated from our group.

Street where we were dropped off | Source

Walking Up To Olympic Stadium

Our group was dropped off and began the long hike up to the Olympic Stadium.

While pausing to take in the scenery and do some Olympic pin trading we had to keep an eye on our guides sporting the yellow flags. We certainly did not want to be separated from our group as thousands of people were milling about most all of them making their way up to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremonies. The Olympic Stadium held something like 70,000 people!

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Following the crowds making our way up the hill to Olympic stadium | Source

Olympic banners and fountains | Source

Following our guides holding the yellow flags | Source

It was a very hot day in Barcelona and most of the people were all wearing shorts or at the least very comfortable clothing with good walking shoes.

This was our first Olympics to attend in person and we had no idea how much fun it was going to be trading Olympic pins with people from around the world. Most people had their Olympic pins attached to their clothing, hats, or bags that they might have been carrying. Often people would approach us wanting to trade pins. Some people spoke our language and others did not. But with a questioning look and smile while gesturing and holding out one or two of their pins while pointing to one of ours transmitted the message quite well.

Some avid Olympic fans who knew the value of certain pins were die hearted traders on a mission to increase the value of their holdings. If they spotted a desired pin that they wished to add to their collection often they would offer two or three pins in exchange for the one they wanted. Most like us were simply happy to trade ones in which we might have had duplicates for others that were different. Olympic pins not only varied according to the country but also other Olympic Games in years past. Logos for businesses worldwide were also made into Olympic pins. That turned out to be quite a sport!

Mist from fountains doing water ballets to music helped cool us off as we were mingling with the masses making their way up Montjuic on that very warm day.

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This water fountain kept performing a water ballet to music. | Source

View of the castle and water fountains | Source

Getting higher up the hill and looking back | Source

Montjuic Park sits atop a rocky hill that is at a height of 173 metres in Barcelona. The building that dominates the top of the hill as one approaches it from the street level is the castle which was used by the military for many years. It now houses a military museum.

Many beautiful gardens are located at the top of Montjuic and we simply caught a glimpse of some of them as we were moving en masse towards the stadium.

Beautiful portion of the castle on Montjuic in Barcelona | Source

There is a Spanish Village on Montjuic which is housed behind walls and shows replicas of buildings from all over Spain. Museums of many types are also in this area of the city. We were able to spend some time in the Miro Foundation on another day when we came back for one of the Olympic events - men's diving. Obviously one could spend many days on Montjuic exploring all of the many different venues but that was not our goal of this eventful day.

The many fountains continued to provide a spectacle of aquatic beauty and much appreciated mist as we kept climbing the hill.

Once atop the hill and past the castle we caught our first look at the structure that would be lit later that evening and burn as the Olympic torch throughout the summer games.

Looking back at the castle - Closer to the Stadium at this point waiting to go through security | Source

All 70,000 people entering the Olympic Stadium had to go through security which included a metal detector and all handbags were search. Many mounted police were in evidence.

Barcelona's 1992 Olympic Stadium | Source

Opening Ceremonies Festivities Begin!

The mayor of Barcelona, Pasqual Maragall and the president of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch welcomed everyone to the Olympics in Barcelona. King Juan Carlos I declared the XXV Olympiad games open.

Borne by six Spanish Olympic athletes and two volunteers the Olympic flag entered the stadium to much fanfare. A memorial to cities and athletes that participated in the past Olympics was completed. The XXV Olympic Games were inaugurated with the most beautiful of ceremonies.

80 musicians sounded the Olympic opening and over 800 performers dressed in colorful outfits representing flowers and birds welcomed one and all with the word of friendship Hola!

The rose is the symbol of Catalonia and these first photos show the symbolic flower.

Several seats over from where I was seated were some folks showing not only a Catalonia flag, but a Freedom for Catalonia banner. Security from both ends of the row in which we were seated approached them and coerced them into giving the banner up to them to be removed. They complied peacefully of which I was happy.

This video shows some scenery around Barcelona and part of the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

The Welcome

Montserrat Caballe and Jose Carreras sang the Welcome while 600 dancers who were dressed in white danced the thousand-year-old sardana, the dance of Catalonia. They ended up joining hands and forming the five Olympic rings which symbolize the Olympic Games

At one point white doves were released all at once filling the stadium with the fluttering of wings and it was a thrilling sight to watch them disappear into the evening skies overhead.

Sun, Hercules and Mediterranean Sea

The red and yellow flame like costumes represented the sun and the sun is an attribute of Hercules. The legend told by this part of opening ceremonies has Hercules setting off under the protection of the sun on a journey to see the world. The blue garbed people become representative of the Mediterranean sea.

A ship sets out onto the sea but they are attacked by monsters. Victorious at last the men found a city and legend has it that city became Barcelona.

This glorious site was accompanied by music and much theatrics. At one point we were all invited to don our sun like masks and the entire audience was suddenly a part of the scenery. To this day I have kept one of those souvenir masks.

Opening Ceremony images from Olympics in Barcelona

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These flame like costumes represented the sun | Source

Blue costumes represent the Mediterranean Sea | Source

Hercules sets out aboard ship to see the world | Source

Accosted by different perils and monsters they come out victorious and establish the city of Barcelona | Source

Land of Passion

This next bit of theatrics was thunderous as 360 drummers descended from the steps of the stands and made their way on down to the field all the while pounding out a rhythmic pattern on their drums. Another 300 musicians joined them in the center of the stadium.

Placido Domingo then began to sing a love serenade to a woman wearing a red dress who was riding a black stallion. It was Cristina Hoyos who happens to be a world renowned flamenco dancer.

"O sole mio" by Placido Domingo (a little extra thrown in here for those who enjoy his marvelous voice.)

Flamenco then takes center stage and ends the drama with style and grace.

The Parade of Athletes

172 teams of athletes from around the world started pouring into Olympic Stadium one team at a time. This was a proud moment for almost everyone involved and much cheering and flag waving took place as the stadium started to fill with the colors and members from each team.

The athletes were grouped by delegation and the Olympic field at the end is a mixture of colors holding approximately 12,000 plus individuals.

Some of the athletes who were to compete early the next morning did not take part in this ceremony so as to preserve their stamina for the games hoping to win Olympic medals for their respective countries.

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Preparing for the parade of athletes in Barcelona | Source

Approximately 12,000 athletes and managers on the field of Olympic stadium in Barcelona. | Source

Olympic Torch is Lit and the Finale

Wouldn't you know...I had to run out of film!

The Human Pyramids were also unable to be captured on film. This was an amazing spectacle. 2,174 men and women climbed on top of one another forming 12 living pyramids on the stadium field. It symbolized the twelve countries building a European community.

It was dark when the Olympic torch entered the stadium and laps were run by the bearers ultimately passing the flame to an archer. This was a moment of high drama as the archer shot the flame lit arrow up to ignite the cauldron atop the Gate of Olympic Stadium. We all held our breath hoping that he would hit his mark and he did to much applause and cheering.

This Olympic fire would continue to burn day and night until the close of Olympic competitions.

The Torch at Barcelona Olympic Arena | Source

During the course of this opening ceremony we were entertained by some wonderful music including the official song "Friends for Life" composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Famous opera singers that were an integral part of this ceremony included the following:

Placido Domingo

Montserrat Caballe

Jose Carreras

Jaume Aragall

Teresa Berganza

and Joan Pons.

The evening was culminated by a roar of spectacular fireworks!

Site of the 1992 summer Olympics. | Source

We started the exodus down the hill catching final views of the illuminated buildings and fountains. Catching a 1:30 AM charter flight to Mallorca we finally got to bed after 3:00 AM.

In subsequent days we were to see some Olympic games and more of Barcelona and the beautiful Island of Mallorca. But being able to be a part of an opening ceremony event for the Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona will always live on in our memories.

Comments

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Robert Sacchi

13 months ago

Yes, that is the hope of the Olympic organizers. The hope is the venue doesn't end up as an underused white elephant.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

13 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Robert,

Thanks for your interest in this subject. Often the venues built for the Olympics have a long life after the fact serving the people in the places where they were built.

Robert Sacchi

13 months ago

Yes, the results seem mixed. For Japan the 1964 Olympics marked their re-entrance to the word stage. For Yugoslavia it was the reverse. I don't see much about Spain.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

13 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Robert,

I think that every aspect of putting on an Olympic show whether it is an opening or closing ceremony is given much thought. The pride of the hosting nation is on display for all to see. Hopefully the investment pays off for them in the long run.

Robert Sacchi

13 months ago

I wonder if other Olympics organizers decided these torch lightings couldn't be outdone and decided to concentrate on other aspects of opening ceremonies.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

13 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Robert,

I remember that Olympic ceremony in Norway. That torch lighting ceremony was spectacular!

Robert Sacchi

13 months ago

The winter Olympics in Norway also had a unique torch lighting. Skiing down the mountain with the torch.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

13 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Robert,

It truly was an experience of a lifetime getting to see those opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Barcelona. I think that the people planning every Olympic ceremony event try to do something different with regard to lighting that torch which remains lighted while the Olympics are playing. The one in Barcelona was particularly memorable.

Robert Sacchi

13 months ago

I remember that Olympics. I think the torch lighting was great, I'm surprised subsequent Olympics haven't tried to outdo it. I'm sure it was an experience of a lifetime for you.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

16 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Frank,

Happy to hear that you liked this article and my photos as well. It certainly was an exciting day and evening!

Frank Atanacio

16 months agofrom Shelton

thanks for sharing Peggy.. love the photos and the thumbnail ones as well.. you did this article justice.. again just gotta say I love the photos so much

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

16 months agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Mary,

It truly was a spectacular experience getting to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Barcelona. Often the venues created for such events remain to be used for other purposes. That is nice.

Mary Norton

16 months agofrom Ontario, Canada

Peggy, this is such a good account of the Olympics and you have taken great pictures of it. It must have been spectacular. The Park is still here for people to visit.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

7 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hello wilrhoades,

Glad that you are glad. Were you at the summer Olympic Games in Barcelona or did you see the opening ceremony on television?

wilrhoades

7 years ago

Glad to see this page.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Cheryl,

Visiting Barcelona, Spain during the Olympics...especially the opening ceremony...is a trip that we will never forget. Glad you enjoyed seeing a bit of it via this hub and thanks for your comment.

Cheryl J.

8 years agofrom Houston, TX

Wonderful. Barcelona has to be an unforgettable and beautiful place to visit. Looks like a city full of suprises, and you get much more than you actually expect. The Montjuïc tour has to be the best. Lots of history to cherish. Great information, photos and videos of Barcelona. I am putting Barcelona Spain on my wish list as well, as many of the other exciting places you have toured. Great hub.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hello Margaflores,

Cobi was a really cute mascot for the Barcelona olympic games. We saw him in many places, obviously. Excitement was everywhere in the streets leading up to the opening ceremony which, as you say, was absolutely beautiful. Like you...we will always hold those memories dear.

Were you a teacher or a classmate in those days?

Thanks for your visit and comment.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hello funky23,

The summer olympic games in Barcelona, Spain were surely that and so much more. Thanks for your comment.

Margaflores

8 years agofrom Barcelona

Wow! I remember the Olympic Games in Barcelona. We were all so excited!

We went into the street with the class to see the torch passing!

The opening was so beautiful!!!

I specially remember the pet of the Olympic Games, a dog called Cobi!

funky23

8 years agofrom Deutschland

is that neat !

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

I went back to my scrapbook/photo album and I'm not sure if he sang the "Bella figia de amore" but Alfredo Kraus was a tenor who was also there and who sang the Olympic anthem when the flags were being borne into the stadium in Barcelona. He also sang when Christina Hoyos, a great flaminco dancer, was on the field of the summer olympic stadium during opening ceremonies in Barcelona, Spain.

Hope this answers your question.

kevinkealy@eircom.net

8 years ago

Who was the singer that sang with Domingo, Nontserrat, Bergaznzam pons, Carreras - who was the other Tenor who sang Bella figia del amore

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hello leyzaa,

Except for this one time we have always watched olympic games on our television sets also. What is your favorite sport that you like to watch?

leyzaa

8 years ago

Yeah I had watch this olympic from Television and my Favorite sport has exhibitions for the first time

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

8 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Billy,

It was amazing and will remain a fond memory...the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Barcelona. We enjoyed seeing other venues and also sightseeing while there. A once in a lifetime experience!

billyaustindillon

8 years ago

This brings back great memories - but just from watching it on TV! I have yet been to a live Olympics and it would be a great experience. Not just he opening ceremony but the events and the town itself. Experiencing the excitement anew culture also would be amazing.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hello loveroflife,

That it was indeed! My husband and I will always forever more watch opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies of the olympic games with even more interest having experienced one in person.

loveroflife

9 years ago

What a thrill it must have been to be part of an Olympic Games opening ceremony.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Cheryl,

When we were over there we were given tickets to the Olympic events we had requested seeing...but then were given the opportunity to also take tours and had to make choices. We did some of both. Will be writing about those experiences.

This trip and our Hawaiian experience were the only two trips that we won and actually accepted. My husband gave all the other trips away to his employees.

Thanks for your comment and yes, they are indeed wonderful memories of our Barcelona Olympic Games experiences plus so much more.

Cheryl

9 years ago

These are wonderful photos and illustrations. It was like seeing the Olympics on television. Wonderful and lasting memories you have collected.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Ethel,

Yes, being there in the flesh was more than one goose-pimple moment after another. Strange word...goose-pimple! LOL It was AMAZING to see Olympic Opening Ceremonies in person! The ENTIRE trip was AMAZING!

Thanks for reading and commenting.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Pete,

Seeing the Olympic games live, muchless the opening or closing ceremonies was a rare treat indeed. If it were not for our hosts, we would have been watching them on television like most other folks. This was another trip won by my husband.....and it was the trip of a lifetime!

I'll be writing much more about Barcelona, the games and other sites we got to see as well as Mallorca where we were staying.

Thanks for commenting.

Ethel Smith

9 years agofrom Kingston-Upon-Hull

I imagine that in the flesh these cremonies are unbelievable. Lucky you and in such a great location.

Pete Maida

9 years ago

That must have been a wonderful experience. Very few people are ever in a position to see the games live.

AUTHOR

Peggy Woods

9 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Hi Tom,

The opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Barcelona was a spectacle indeed! Now we are glued to our television sets for Olympic games ever since being able to see some of one in person. Thanks for taking a look and leaving a comment.

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